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Regulators and operators pushed the industry in very different directions this week. Governments intensified oversight with new tax proposals, while suppliers and platforms focused on expanding content and innovating responsible gambling tools. This mix led to some interesting headlines.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- UK Budget unleashes major tax hikes on online betting and gaming operators.
- South Africa proposes a 20% national GGR tax for online gambling.
- Spain fines 26 licensed operators €3.5 million for compliance breaches.
- Massachusetts set a new sports betting handle record with $892.2 million in October.
- Lithuania launches coordinated action against a surge in illegal remote gambling sites.
😄 Missed last week’s updates? Catch up with the previous iGaming Recap and stay on top of industry developments.
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Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
Lithuania Holds Emergency Meeting on Rise in Illegal Remote Gambling, Gambling Insider
On 20 November 2025, Lithuanian government agencies held a cross-institutional meeting at the Government Chancellery to discuss growing issues with fraudulent and unlicensed online gambling.
Regulators noted that thousands of illegal gambling domains are active, and promised further coordinated action, including domain blocking and restrictions on payment processing tied to unlicensed platforms.
U.S. Judge Rules Kalshi Must Comply With Nevada Gaming Regulations, Reuters
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that the prediction-markets platform Kalshi must comply with Nevada’s gaming regulations, rejecting Kalshi’s argument that it is regulated solely under the federal Commodity Futures regime.
The ruling lifts a previous injunction that had prevented Nevada gaming authorities from acting, potentially exposing Kalshi to enforcement under state gambling law.
Spain Fines 26 Licensed Operators a Total of €3.5 Million, iGamingToday
Spain’s gambling regulator issued €3.5 million in sanctions against 26 licensed operators for advertising and compliance violations. The penalties include repeated breaches of strict marketing rules introduced under the country’s updated gambling framework.
Regulators said enforcement will continue to intensify as operators adjust to the tougher landscape. Several brands are now facing enhanced monitoring periods.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
Massachusetts Sets New Sports Betting Handle Record With $892.2M in October, iGB
Massachusetts Gaming Commission reports the state’s sports betting handle in October reached US $892.2 million, the highest monthly total on record in Massachusetts. That number is 11.5% higher than September’s record $800.3 million and 19.3% higher than the $748.1 million wagered in October 2024.
Online wagers accounted for $879.2 million, retail for $12.6 million. Total revenue for the month was $71.3 million; online revenue was $70.7 million, retail just $598,901. The statewide hold (i.e. ratio of revenue to wagers) was 7.99%.
South Africa Proposes 20% Tax on Online Gambling GGR, NEXT
National Treasury of South Africa published a discussion paper proposing a 20% tax on gross gambling revenue (GGR) from online and interactive gambling to address social harms associated with rapid growth in online betting.
The proposal is described as one of the most significant reforms of South Africa’s gambling tax framework in decades. If adopted, the national tax would be on top of existing provincial gambling taxes, potentially bringing total effective tax burdens on online operators to between 26% and 29%.
UK Budget: Online Betting Firms Face Major Tax Increases Under Reeves, The Guardian
Rachel Reeves announced in the 2025 UK Budget that online betting firms will see a sharp increase in taxes: remote gaming duty will rise from 21% to 40%, and general betting duty on online sports bets will increase to 25% by April 2027.
The change is designed to raise about £1.1 billion annually by 2029–30. Bricks-and-mortar betting shops and horse-racing bets remain unaffected under the new regime.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
Zitro Launches Full “FANTASY” Game Library With Five Exclusive Titles, European Gaming
Zitro confirmed the worldwide rollout of its “FANTASY” cabinet, following its debut at G2E Las Vegas 2025. The initial library includes five games exclusive to the cabinet: Gold Space, Brave Dragon, Lion Falls, Fantasy Mine, and Rock N’ Raccoons.
Zitro described FANTASY as a “sensory-driven experience,” where graphics, lighting, sound, and aesthetics are designed to transform each title into an immersive environment.
QTech Games Adds 70+ VA Gaming Titles Through New Integration, QTech
QTech Games announced a new integration with VA Gaming, granting operators on its platform access to 70+ additional digital slot titles as of November 24, 2025. VA Gaming’s portfolio is optimised for mobile, aligning with QTech’s mobile-first aggregation model.
According to the companies, the integration is part of QTech’s strategy to broaden content offerings in emerging markets, especially in regions across Africa and Latin America.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
PAGCOR Donates 11 More Patient Transport Vehicles to Local Healthcare Facilities, Gambling Insider
PAGCOR delivered 11 additional Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to local government units and health-care facilities as part of its continuing outreach. The move follows earlier donations of medical vehicles as part of PAGCOR’s broader civic-service commitment.
The agency said the new units will help improve emergency response and patient mobility in underserved communities.
Mindway AI and ATG Partner to Improve Player Protection With GameScanner, iGB
ATG has announced that it will integrate Mindway AI’s GameScanner into its platform to detect signs of problem gambling. GameScanner combines artificial intelligence and human assessment to identify players at risk, allowing ATG to intervene early and support safer gambling initiatives.
Mindway AI stated that the rollout reflects ATG’s commitment to strengthening data-driven responsible gambling measures.
- Online casino and sports betting have quietly gone live in the UAE, iGamingToday on LinkedIn
- Online gambling and its profits have grown rapidly, HM Treasury on X
- The UK’s 2025 Budget has just changed the economics of online gambling, Shahar Zerkov on LinkedIn
- NEW: Kalshi has been hit with a nationwide class action lawsuit, Daniel Wallach on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Lately sports betting results have been unpredictable and disappointing, Bitcoin Forum
- Understanding Volatility & Risk Through This Reels & Wheels XL, Reddit
- If this is true, your information is not safe, Bitcoin Forum
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